Sanderson Farms wants to build the plant in an industrial park east of Interstate 95.

Area media outlets report about 350 people turned out Thursday for a public hearing about the project.

Supporters of the plant say it will create jobs and help the area diversify an economy that is based largely on the military. But opponents worry about the large amount of water the plant will need to operate and about waste from the planned 500 chicken houses.

Two years ago, local opposition prompted Sanderson, the third-largest chicken processor in the nation, to drop plans for such a plant in Nash County.